The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-06

Coz. JAMES KAIGwIS, 10TH IND.
the works consisted OF four 30-pound ParrOtt
guns mounted on siege carriages, in addi
tiOn TO the artillery Gen. Morgan had taken
with him over the mountains. The rebels
had skipped and left four 6s-pound smooth
bore cannon and two sea-cOast howitzers,
which Morgan did not utilize, they being
inferiOr ordnance and without ammunition.
A large magazine was constructed on the slope
Of the mountain and filled with ammunition.
Depots were constructed for The Commissary
and Quartermaster's Departments. with capacity
sufficient 20 supply 10000 men for six months.
The buildings, however, were not fully stored
had they been when Kirby Smith invaded
Kentucky. in August, 1862, the history Of the
Seventh Division during the following six
months would have been vastly different from
the one am now writing. During the occupa-
tion of the Gap the duties Of the soldiers were
varied between fatigue duty on the fortf-
cations drill guard, and picket duty. The
health OF the troops IN that pure, bracing
mountain atmosphere with plenty Of health
ful exercise, was excellent A short time
after Morgans occupation Of the stronghold
the enemy posted himself strongly in the passes
OF the Cllnch Mountains about 20 miles TO the
southwark, on the BlorristOwn road. Morgan
soon began to chafe for a bout with him. lie be-
came anxious 10 take the offensive and invade
of operations.
The citizens Of East Tennessee still adhered
20 the Union with answering loyalty and de-
votiOn, and were impatiently waiting for an
opportunity 10 rise and aid in the expulsion OF
their despised enemies from their territory
Morgan had already five Tennessee regiments
In his Division, composed OF men who had
FLED FROM THEIR HOMES
like hunted animals, leaving their families to
Wl4a l..ttl Al 81 a
placabie foes These were now anxious 10 re-
turn 10 the defense of their homes aud fami-
lies.
Gen. Morgan repeatedly besOugh the Secretary
of War aud Gen. Buell. for reiufOrcements and
an order 90 invade East Tennessee, represent
ing that the occupation Of that important ter
ritOry and the destruction Of the Virginia q
East Tennessee Railroad would strike a telling
blow upon Lee, would seriously cripple him,
and compel the abandonment Of all Northern
Virginia. On June %, from Cumberland Gap,
he telegraphed to Secretary Stanton and Gen.
Buell.:
might Rs well be without eyes without cav
airy. The enemy is said to have taken up strong
position ln Tie Clnch Mountains in the direction
Of MOrristoNn. j would advance IL authorized.
but this place would be threatened from the enc
mys present position ii pursued another route
One strong brigade. with 800 cavalry fora
gers aud scouts, should be lcf here ] should be
strengthened by two brigndcs of infantry, bat
y.
With such a force could sweep East Tennessee OF
every rebel soldier
On the LIST Of July he again telegraphcd:
believe that the enemys force in East Tennes-
see bas been more denIorallzed by his evacuation
of Cumberland Gap than IL would have been 10y AN
unsuccessful battle. ] am certain that with three
more brigHdes could sweep llasl Tennessee from
Abingdon 10 Chattanooga.
Morgan did not receive the desired reinforce.
ments and Secretary Stanton forbade him 10
prHfs A.
Department was concerning itself more espec-
lally with Gen. Buells operations with a vast
army IN Middle Tennessee. who was allowing
Bragg aud Forest 10 escape into Kentucky
Morgan was forbidden 10 make any aggressive
movements, and compelled TO swallow his dis
appointment and content himself with the
prosy business OF holding Cumberland Gan.
About Aug. 10 Kirby Smith advanced north
ward lnt0 Kentucky, moving in two columns
one crossing at Rogers and the uther al Big
Creek Gap. lie cut of the Federal supply
depots and circumscribed Morgan's foraging
territory. lie suffered the loss Of his trains,
was prevented from accommodating supplies
PROM THE HARVEST FIELDS
10 augment his reserve stores aud was COM
PEELED 10 fail back upon hs scanty stock pre-
viously accumulated. Norgan's patent soldiers
subsistcG upon less than full IatiOns from first
10 last during the time of occupation, aud
much OF the time they had less than one third
OF the prescribed allowance Morgan appealed
repeatedly aud persistently for forage and
rations without avail On Aug 10 he tele-
graphcd Secretary Stanton:
have only three weeks supplies, and these are
half rations.
That was his last communication with Wash
ington until he emerged from the wilderness
aud reached the Ohio River in the month of
October, 1862 The night Of the 10Th John
Morgan, with a considerable cavalry force the
rH Hs.fE rlts ~.
Telegraph line near Cumberland Ford and cut
Oh all communication with the War Depart.
ment. KIRBY Smith euasavored 10 mask his
northward movement by investing Cumber.
land Gap ON The south side by Gen. C. j. Ste
Nenson's army Of about 10000 men. second
motive of this investment was 10 prerlude the
possibility OF a Federal raid upon Knoxville
from Cumberland Gap shut Morgan up In his
strong citadel, and eventually starve him into
capiulatlon and again secure that important
position. The investment OF his rear by Smith
seemed 10 make his ultimate capture snre
Stevenson, hoping 10 hasten this denouement,
closed ms lines around the Gap so as 10 restrict
Morgans foraginR ground 10 the limiiod area
under the range of bis cannon. The foraging
bad up 10 the ingestiture been general aud
unrestricted within radius Of 20 miles around
sharp encounter with the enemy was a re-
suit Of one Of these foraging raids.
1IaE TAzEwELL EXPEDITION.
On the morning of Aug 2 Morgan dispatched
Col John 4. DE COurcey with the 10th and
42d Ohio and l4th KY and a section OF Fosters
LIST Was. battery in all about l,3O0 men, with
200 wagons, on - foraging expedition 10 Taze.
well, @ hamlet AZ miles 10 the southwark of the
Gap. The expedition reached Tazcwell late
m the afternoon OF the same day. De COurcey
eamped hls brigade near the town during Tie
night, aud ln the morning moved four miles 10
The southwark, 10 stream of water in the
neghburhOod of Big Springs.
AT the crossing OF the stream the main road
branches the right leading in a westerly al.
rectlon mp the stream, the other leading across
the Cilnch Mountains southeasterly, 10 Beau's